samcdavies94
Player Valuation: £8m
Only criticism I had was that it wasn't quite long enough. Wanted to spend more time in some of those timelines.
Such a good read though.
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The GOT Book Club
- Thread starter chicoazul
- Start date
Only criticism I had was that it wasn't quite long enough. Wanted to spend more time in some of those timelines.
Such a good read though.
random
Player Valuation: £15m
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
Blurb
Humanity has colonized the solar system—Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond—but the stars are still out of our reach.
Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for—and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why.
Detective Miller is looking for a girl. One girl in a system of billions, but her parents have money and money talks. When the trail leads him to the Scopuli and rebel sympathizer Holden, he realizes that this girl may be the key to everything.
Holden and Miller must thread the needle between the Earth government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secretive corporations—and the odds are against them. But out in the Belt, the rules are different, and one small ship can change the fate of the universe.
Despite the recent disappointment I had with Revelation Space, I was still in the mood to get into a decent space opera series. Leviathan Wakes received good reviews and there seems to be a fair few sequels (about 8) so I gave it a go.
The book focuses on two main protagonists, Holden and Miller. Each character has alternate chapters devoted to them, similar to Revelation Space, however, in this book things actually happen as the story progresses. That isn't to class it as a fast-paced book, there are some action spurts but mainly a lot of character development.
The credited author is actually two writers, one of whom is an assistant to George RR Martin (Game of Thrones) and he weighed in with his opinion and critique.
Fans will realize that there is a TV series (The Expanse) based on this book, my advice is to read the book first, but only watch the TV show if you really need to. I had already watched the show and wish I hadn't now I have read the book. Reviewer no. 2 (below) thinks otherwise
The characters in this book are quite interesting, but the story does sort of drag, although it had just enough to keep me interested. I did think that the ending was a bit of a letdown. Unless I happen across another more worthwhile series I will probably give book two in this series a go, although it's not high on my agenda right now.
The story and writing were above average (not great), I just think the book lacked a certain something. Decent read that will keep you busy for hours, just don't expect to come away thinking it's the best thing you ever read.
Reviews
1. This book had a lot of promise but unfortunately didn't live up to it. It opened well, I was interested in the characters, the setting and the plot (especially the mystery). Unfortunately, these were not well-developed as the plot went on and became something of a slog by the end. There were certainly plenty of good moments, but nothing particularly great or special. Part of the problem was Miller's crime noir plot. The problem is that if you've read one noir plot, you've read them all. His plot was predictable, unoriginal and I found it hard to care about someone who cared so little about themselves. A world-weary alcoholic cop obsessed with a beautiful missing girl he hopes to rescue (and hopes she will rescue him) is an over-used cliche (why does the girl always have to be beautiful, would he not care if she was ugly?). Miller was best when he had someone else to bounce off, alone he was just too miserable.
2. Okay so I watched the tv show before I started this book series and Of course the brilliance of the show meant I couldn’t miss out on more content through the books. My only disappointment with this book is how much is missing. Normally you get more from a book and the screen equivalent never matches up but in this instant after finishing book 1, I’d say the show nailed how it should have been written. This is like a good first draft and what has become the brilliance of the show. Don’t get me wrong the book is still 5 star, easy to read, great story telling, just it could have been so much more.
Still highly recommended
3. I’d describe this novel as ‘extremely okay’. It’s well-written, has plenty of heartwarming and funny moments, likeable characters (for the most part) and plenty of action and intrigue from the get-go as well as consistently throughout. I can absolutely see why they made this into a TV show (which influenced me to read this in the first place), BUT... there’s something missing. For all its competence in execution, nothing particularly wowed me in the way that I’d need it to. The length - this feels extremely bloated. The plot is constantly moving, there’s always something happening and as far as I can see, every piece feels necessary to get to the end, BUT, it’s not always a fun ride. It can be a bit of a slog.
4. Have to admit, I read this book after watching Season 1 of The Expanse. The series does an excellent job in dramatizing this novel. Though there are some differences and I basically knew the plot I still enjoyed the book - which says alot.
Review 3 is the closest to my thoughts on this book
Price
£5 kindle and £6 paperback
Its a decent size book, weighing in at about 550 pages, so if you do like it then there is more than enough to keep you occupied, with the bonus of more books in the series to attack. For the price its about worth it, just....
Blurb
Humanity has colonized the solar system—Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt and beyond—but the stars are still out of our reach.
Jim Holden is XO of an ice miner making runs from the rings of Saturn to the mining stations of the Belt. When he and his crew stumble upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, they find themselves in possession of a secret they never wanted. A secret that someone is willing to kill for—and kill on a scale unfathomable to Jim and his crew. War is brewing in the system unless he can find out who left the ship and why.
Detective Miller is looking for a girl. One girl in a system of billions, but her parents have money and money talks. When the trail leads him to the Scopuli and rebel sympathizer Holden, he realizes that this girl may be the key to everything.
Holden and Miller must thread the needle between the Earth government, the Outer Planet revolutionaries, and secretive corporations—and the odds are against them. But out in the Belt, the rules are different, and one small ship can change the fate of the universe.
Despite the recent disappointment I had with Revelation Space, I was still in the mood to get into a decent space opera series. Leviathan Wakes received good reviews and there seems to be a fair few sequels (about 8) so I gave it a go.
The book focuses on two main protagonists, Holden and Miller. Each character has alternate chapters devoted to them, similar to Revelation Space, however, in this book things actually happen as the story progresses. That isn't to class it as a fast-paced book, there are some action spurts but mainly a lot of character development.
The credited author is actually two writers, one of whom is an assistant to George RR Martin (Game of Thrones) and he weighed in with his opinion and critique.
Fans will realize that there is a TV series (The Expanse) based on this book, my advice is to read the book first, but only watch the TV show if you really need to. I had already watched the show and wish I hadn't now I have read the book. Reviewer no. 2 (below) thinks otherwise
The characters in this book are quite interesting, but the story does sort of drag, although it had just enough to keep me interested. I did think that the ending was a bit of a letdown. Unless I happen across another more worthwhile series I will probably give book two in this series a go, although it's not high on my agenda right now.
The story and writing were above average (not great), I just think the book lacked a certain something. Decent read that will keep you busy for hours, just don't expect to come away thinking it's the best thing you ever read.
Reviews
1. This book had a lot of promise but unfortunately didn't live up to it. It opened well, I was interested in the characters, the setting and the plot (especially the mystery). Unfortunately, these were not well-developed as the plot went on and became something of a slog by the end. There were certainly plenty of good moments, but nothing particularly great or special. Part of the problem was Miller's crime noir plot. The problem is that if you've read one noir plot, you've read them all. His plot was predictable, unoriginal and I found it hard to care about someone who cared so little about themselves. A world-weary alcoholic cop obsessed with a beautiful missing girl he hopes to rescue (and hopes she will rescue him) is an over-used cliche (why does the girl always have to be beautiful, would he not care if she was ugly?). Miller was best when he had someone else to bounce off, alone he was just too miserable.
2. Okay so I watched the tv show before I started this book series and Of course the brilliance of the show meant I couldn’t miss out on more content through the books. My only disappointment with this book is how much is missing. Normally you get more from a book and the screen equivalent never matches up but in this instant after finishing book 1, I’d say the show nailed how it should have been written. This is like a good first draft and what has become the brilliance of the show. Don’t get me wrong the book is still 5 star, easy to read, great story telling, just it could have been so much more.
Still highly recommended
3. I’d describe this novel as ‘extremely okay’. It’s well-written, has plenty of heartwarming and funny moments, likeable characters (for the most part) and plenty of action and intrigue from the get-go as well as consistently throughout. I can absolutely see why they made this into a TV show (which influenced me to read this in the first place), BUT... there’s something missing. For all its competence in execution, nothing particularly wowed me in the way that I’d need it to. The length - this feels extremely bloated. The plot is constantly moving, there’s always something happening and as far as I can see, every piece feels necessary to get to the end, BUT, it’s not always a fun ride. It can be a bit of a slog.
4. Have to admit, I read this book after watching Season 1 of The Expanse. The series does an excellent job in dramatizing this novel. Though there are some differences and I basically knew the plot I still enjoyed the book - which says alot.
Review 3 is the closest to my thoughts on this book
Price
£5 kindle and £6 paperback
Its a decent size book, weighing in at about 550 pages, so if you do like it then there is more than enough to keep you occupied, with the bonus of more books in the series to attack. For the price its about worth it, just....
Woolverhampton_Blue
Player Valuation: £35m
Quoted you in here because I didn’t want to derail the other thread.
I haven’t read much King but my brother is obsessed and one of my best friends tells me good things.
Having said that I’d say have a go at some of the old classics. If you can’t decide where to start just google top 100 novels and choose a book based on the synopsis you like. You won’t regret it.
Recently finished this.
Quite an eye opener on the state of the British prison system.
A Bit of a Stretch: The Diaries of a Prisoner gives a surreal, darkly funny, at times horrifying but always humane account of what it’s like to be locked up in a dysfunctional institution in which 50% of prisoners are functionally illiterate, mental ill health is rife and it’s easier to obtain spice, a synthetic version of cannabis, than paracetamol, let alone therapeutic support.
Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley
A wonderfully creepy little folk-horror - Ripe for an adaptation
A wonderfully creepy little folk-horror - Ripe for an adaptation
One of my favourite series this. I am eagerly anticipating the final book in the series coming in November.
random
Player Valuation: £15m
based on your recollection of book one, how accurate was my review mate ?
Black Belt Jones
Player Valuation: £25m
I'm reading The Last Unicorn (Peter Beagle) with my daughter atm - quote on the front from Rothfuss says it's his favourite ever book.
I can see the connection - it's very dreamy and evocative writing that must have stood out a mile when it was written (1968). It's obv good but not completely feeling why it's considered a classic, I've heard people get very emotional about how much they love this book. 2/3 of the way though so perhaps it will finish strong.
Been reading through the back catalogue of Jess Walter (Beautiful Ruins, Financial Lives of Poets). His most recent novel, The Cold Millions, is the best of the bunch thus far
Black Belt Jones
Player Valuation: £25m
This interview from 2007: http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2007/03/patrick-rothfuss-interview.html
What can readers expect from the two sequels and the trilogy that will follow this one?
Well.... I've already written them. So you won't have to wait forever for them to come out. They'll be released on a regular schedule. One per year.
You can also expect the second book to be written with the same degree of care and detail as this first one. You know the sophomore slump? When a writer's second novel is weaker because they're suddenly forced to write under deadline? I don't have to worry about that because my next two novels are already good to go.
Spot on tbh. The series is really about the overarching plot linking the books together. This first book is by far the weakest of the series. It is actually written by two people and only one of them had any real writing experience during this first book.
The one who came up with most of the ideas had done a lot of research and was planning to make a board game when his friend convinced him to write a novel series instead. His friend was one of GRRM's assistants and so the book takes some inspiration from that with the individual character pov chapters.
The dialog and character development is very clunky to begin with but the world building is very good and a lot of detail goes into things like the physics and biophysical effects of living in space.
I recommend these books if you are into a quick moving plot based series rather than great prose or dialogue or character focused series. The characters do come into their own but it isn't a quick journey. There are about 8 books and various backstory novellas that have helped to flesh them out.
The TV show is ace. If the TV show leaves you wanting more then the books are there and it seems like with this latest series being the final one they may not cover the last three or so books.
I have made it through the slog and I am now on book 12 of the Wheel of Time. I am eagerly looking forward to the upcoming series on Amazon Prime as I am desperate to get talking to people about it.
The books that people talk about dragging on in the series definitely do have points where you want the plot to get moving faster but I still thought there were some good aspects in each of them.
Looking forward to getting to the end of the series and having a conclusion for once even if it wasn't written by the original author.
The books that people talk about dragging on in the series definitely do have points where you want the plot to get moving faster but I still thought there were some good aspects in each of them.
Looking forward to getting to the end of the series and having a conclusion for once even if it wasn't written by the original author.
Terrarian
Player Valuation: £50m
I very very nearly bought book 1 the other day but instead I had already bought Brandon Sanderson Stormlight book 1 so I got book 2
I have just started this
In that weird place of finishing one series(well all that is complete) and starting another so the start of the new one is hard to get into but I've read good things about Sanderson so hopefully it'll get going.
I see there's a book 2.5 in Name of the Wind about Auri apparently.